Ahn Cheol-soo, co-chairman of the People Power Party's joint election countermeasures committee, has called for decisive action from candidates embroiled in 'controversial remarks' scandals.
On the 16th, Ahn stated on Facebook, "Candidate Do Tae-woo was disqualified due to his 5.18 defamatory remarks. Although it was belated from the public's perspective, it was a party decision to uphold integrity." He added, "Candidates Jang Ye-chan and Jo Soo-yeon, who are at the center of inappropriate 'controversial remarks' and 'Japanese colonial rule defense' controversies, should also make a decision in the spirit of putting the party before personal interests."
Ahn also pointed out, "Hwang Sang-moo, the Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office, intimidated certain media outlets by recalling the 'Oh Hong-geun knife attack' ordered by the military. Furthermore, he spread conspiracy theories about the 5.18 Democratization Movement."
He continued, "This has rendered meaningless our government and ruling party's promise to enshrine the spirit of 5.18 in the preamble of the constitution," adding, "Action against this anachronistic Senior Secretary for Civil Society is inevitable."
Referring to the Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's remark, "If you feel comfortable, vote for number 2, or just stay at home," Ahn criticized it as "close to a textbook example of a totalitarian who lacks even the basics of liberal democracy."
He emphasized, "We must not forget that the general election is not about electing those who make reckless remarks and produce defamatory statements, but about choosing representatives of our people, and decisive action is necessary."
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